Gaza Deaths Surge! Putin Digs In! How Will Oil, Gold React?

Investors went into the weekend hoping things would settle down in Gaza and Ukraine. But they did anything but — and stocks crumbled as a result!

In the Middle East, Israel dramatically escalated its campaign to subdue Hamas and stop the group from firing rockets into its territory. Ground troops invaded Gaza from multiple directions to locate and eliminate firing sites, and to demolish tunnels that militants have used to launch attacks and kidnappings on Israeli soil.

With the campaign shifting from the air to the ground, the Palestinian death toll has soared well past 500. For its part, Israel has now lost 27 soldiers and civilians — including two Americans who were fighting with the Israel Defense Force.

In fact, one of Israel’s most storied army units just suffered the worst casualties seen to date. Thirteen soldiers from the Golani Brigade lost their lives in battles with Hamas militants, a harsh blow for the rough-and-tumble infantry unit.

Meanwhile, in Ukraine, rebels continue to impede the investigation into the crash of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17. Families of the crash’s victims can’t get their remains back, and fighting between rebels and government soldiers is continuing to rage in Ukraine’s volatile east.

“In other words, the conflict in Eastern Europe — just like the fight in the Middle East — is showing no sign of easing up.”

International pressure on Russia is increasing rapidly in response. U.S. officials alleged over the weekend that Vladimir Putin’s regime provided the rebels with the advanced missile system used to down the plane. They also said those missile batteries were snuck back across the border as part of an attempted cover up.

Several European countries are also now speaking out in favor of enhanced sanctions, including France and Italy. The U.K. has been particularly outspoken, calling the crash “an outrage made in Moscow.”

The direction of world oil prices, and that of gold, will depend heavily on what happens next in the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

But rather than back down, as some diplomats and investors were hoping, Putin appears to be digging in his heels. Russian officials and Russian-backed rebels continue to deny having anything to do with the catastrophe, saying within the past 24 hours that it might have been a Ukrainian jet or a Ukrainian missile that downed the flight.

In other words, the conflict in Eastern Europe — just like the fight in the Middle East — is showing no sign of easing up. That’s increasingly impacting markets like oil and gold. Crude prices have jumped around $5 per barrel in the past couple of days, while gold is back up to around $1,310 an ounce.

What happens next? I believe it depends on what Putin does next, and how the Arab world responds to the increasing bloodshed in Gaza. What we’ve seen so far certainly doesn’t lend itself to an optimistic appraisal of the situation, though.

So how are you reacting? Have you modified your investing strategy to account for more volatility? Or to take advantage of the latest trends in markets like gold and oil? Can we figure out a way to contain Putin’s ambitions? Can Israel and Hamas come to some kind of cease fire before the death toll climbs to 700? 800? 1,000? Let me know at the Money and Marketscomments section here.

OUR READERS SPEAK

With conflicts continuing to flare in Europe and the Middle East, the discussions at our website are really heating up, too. The perspectives you’ve been offering are incredibly diverse, so once again, I’ll try to include as many as possible.

Reader Mario S. said: “The press portrays Russia as a lone wolf. However, I have not yet come upon a careful and thorough analysis of Russia’s allies from a geopolitical and an economic point of view and how willing they would be to rally behind Russia should conflict with the West deepen. I suspect that further polarization of Russia’s allies and the West will indeed bring important changes in currency, commodities and investment markets.”

Meanwhile, Reader Al H. said: “It amazes me that our elected officials and the news media (and a lot of our general population) rant over the Russians supplying the Ukrainian rebels with arms. It seems that this is terrible in their eyes, but when we (the U.S.) have done the same around the world for years (S. Korea, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Libya and the list goes on and on) they think it’s OK.

“Putin is doing no different than Lincoln did during the American Civil War. He is trying to reunite his country, the Soviet Union. It is time that we (the U.S.) stop trying to impose our will on the rest of the world and telling the people of other countries what kind of government they should have. It is none of our business.”

Reader Howard urged a different approach, saying: “Rather than isolating Russia as some have suggested, this might be the time to talk to them, directly. Engage them in what is the common global good and why the issues in the Ukraine erupted in the first place. The hand of peace and friendship has not been tested fully yet.”

Finally, with regards to the conflict in the Middle East, Reader Ron S. said: “It is always interesting to me how almost every report seems to focus on how many have died in the Gaza Strip because of Israeli bombing without mentioning the 8,000 rockets have been fired from Gaza into Sderot and other southern Israeli cities and towns over the years, or that millions of Israelis live in constant fear of a rocket coming at any moment with only 15-30 seconds warning to get into one of the many bomb shelters they have had to build because of years of rocket bombardment from Gaza.

“The bomb shelters are why so few Israelis have been killed. As Israel’s prime minister has often said, any nation has the right to defend itself. What would America do if thousands of rockets were being fired from Mexico into U.S. cities?”

Good points all around, and if you would like to add to the discussion, you can easily do so at our comment section.

OTHER DEVELOPMENTS OF THE DAY

I’ve been keeping my eye on a handful of steel companies, because it looks like they may be turning the corner after years of poor performance. Then today, two of them caught a nice bid early on after news broke that they were each buying a plant from Russian producer Severstal.

Forget three-day weekends! Now, one of the world’s most well-known billionaires says we should have three-day workweeks!

The proposal from Mexican business tycoon Carlos Slim would result in people working longer days, (10 to 11 hours), but only three days per week. He also said people should work longer (until they turn 70 or 75) now that they live longer.

I’m not sure about the acoustics, what with those steel walls and all. But shipping container homes are now coming to Washington!

The repurposing of old containers into cheap housing has spread around the world in the past few years, driven in part by escalating housing costs in many high-cost locations. But would you want to live in one? Just wondering.

Reminder: You can let me know what you think by putting your comments here.

Until next time,

Mike Larson

Mike Larson graduated from Boston University with a B.S. degree in Journalism and a B.A. degree in English in 1998, and went to work for Bankrate.com. There, he learned the mortgage and interest rates markets inside and out. Mike then joined Weiss Research in 2001. He is the editor of Safe Money Report. He is often quoted by the Washington Post, Reuters, Dow Jones Newswires, Orlando Sentinel, Palm Beach Post and Sun-Sentinel, and he has appeared on CNN, Bloomberg Television and CNBC.

{56 comments }

Mary McConnelyMonday, July 21, 2014 at 5:28 pm

Are you trying to alienate your readers? Putin had nothing to do with the MH crash – Kiev sent a fighter jet to trail it and shot it down from the air. Satellite data from US CIA and Russia both prove that. get a grip

ianMonday, July 21, 2014 at 6:12 pm

well Mary,thats a new one to me

Ralph TaylorMonday, July 21, 2014 at 7:03 pm

Where did you get that bit of information? Are you a CIA operative or just trying to get a role in Tom Cruise’s next Mission Impossible movie?

Jackie C.Tuesday, July 22, 2014 at 5:50 am

paulcraigroberts.org

Richard BerggrenMonday, July 21, 2014 at 6:03 pm

I must admit that I am consumer of the liberal media. That said, I don’t know where Ron S gets his news. Every report I have heard or read includes the number of rockets fired from Gaza by Hamas. And the small number of Israelis killed or injured. Rather than doing this, I would rather hear concern for the civilians who are being killed and/or displaced from their homes. Whining never accomplishes anything —especially when it is unjustified. I am disgusted with militants who fight from areas used by the population, thus ensuring that a response guarantees civilian deaths. I am equally disgusted with Israel for not working harder to come to an agreement over borders and independence. A pox on both their houses.

timMonday, July 21, 2014 at 8:32 pm

THE LAND GELONGS TO ISRAIL, GOD GAVE IT TO THEM. Learn your History ;)

Mary Ellen BurtonMonday, July 21, 2014 at 6:04 pm

I have been in Turkey since May 26th. I find Putin responsible for supporting Assad. ISIS came out of Syria, and they initially were funded by Assad. It is extremely short sighted for the rest of the world to stand around with hands in pockets. It is very clear to the people on the ground that Assad and Putin are working together. Putin has funded Assad from the beginning. So Putin isn’t only taking ground in the Ukraine,he is also taking ground in Syria and Iraq.

DonnieMonday, July 21, 2014 at 7:26 pm

Spot on Mary…

ZiggyMonday, July 21, 2014 at 6:04 pm

Russia has historically been striving to be part of Europe culturally and economically.
Why is the Obama administration so oppossed to Russian economic involvement?
Are the nations buying gas from Russia not able on their own negotiate the best possible price for gas? If the Ukranians can’t pay for their gas does the US need to start another cold war?

Rob GlantzMonday, July 21, 2014 at 6:07 pm

A.H, needs to move to Ukraine.

Robert CalabroMonday, July 21, 2014 at 6:10 pm

Mike: In my opinion we should sanction Gazprom who just concluded a natural gas deal with China worth approximately 445 billion dollars. We should call for a review of the Start 3 trreaty. I believe we may have surrendered too much of the remaining advantage that we had. in tactical nuclear weapons. We should give Ukraine everything it needs to defeat these rebels. We should remind Putin that he is in violation of the Budapest memorandoum which was signed by the Russian Federation, The United Kingdom and US in 1994. In exchange for Ukraine’s surrender if its nuclear arsenal the involved parties agreed to respect and protect the territorial integrety of Ukraine. Our word should be our covenant just like the 10 commandments! Regards, Robert Calabro.

tom ewingMonday, July 21, 2014 at 7:04 pm

Better read that memorandum yourself cause the United States is in violation as well. How about the Euro/USA sanctioned rebels whobrought down a legally and democratically elected government in Kiev.

TE

Rob GlantzMonday, July 21, 2014 at 6:11 pm

Richard:
Remember the Camp David accords? Arafat got everything he wanted from Israel and wouldn’t sign for lasting peace. What’s that tell you?

MbielmMonday, July 21, 2014 at 6:15 pm

Is your financial analysis as bad as your political analysis? Putin has nothing to gain by what you are alleging. He has provided Ukraine with loans and a discounted gas price. Ukraine has stabbed him in the back by refusing to pay. If Putin wanted a financial basket case in his fold he would have used his technically superior weaponry. He has scalar weaponry which others do not. If he is supporting the rebels is it is only logical. Eastern Ukraine and Crimea are ethnically Russian. He does not want to a genocide happen.

William MurkMonday, July 21, 2014 at 6:19 pm

What Al H. has forgotten is that we, the United States promised to give protection and support to the Ukraine in exchange for their nuclear arsenal and essentially their ability to protect themselves. What kind of ally does the complete opposite of what they’ve given their word to do?

WSMonday, July 21, 2014 at 6:28 pm

Perhaps listening to main steam media is intended to placate their audience. As we speak the bodies from the MH17 disaster are on their way to the Netherlands, the international investigation group leader stated that they were not impeded in their efforts, the so called video of the BUK missile carrier going back to russia was filmed in Krasnoarmeisk, an Ukranian forces held town since May, that carrier is a UKRAINE forces unit. The implicated voice recording was made a day prior to the incident. Better not ask about the SU-25 Ukranian jets that followed the MH17 right to its demise, nor why were the flight center voice records confiscated by the Ukraine security forces, or why were several BUK missiles placed in the Donetsk region one day prior to the crash, why are the US satellite spy information not shown to the public but Russia’s are. Why bother investigating, it could be uncomfortable.

tom ewingMonday, July 21, 2014 at 7:01 pm

Wow..lay it out there cause very few will. TE

stevenMonday, July 21, 2014 at 6:28 pm

what is so very interesting about Flight 17 is that it was carrying a plane-load of medical experts to the AIDS/HIV Conference in Melbourne, Australia. What if a Chechen Muslim separatist had advance knowledge of this and decided that the flight, the plane and the passengers were “Haram” (sinful) and worked with others to do their ‘duty’ to Allah?
I know, it can be dangerous to connect the dots but I couldn’t pass this one by.

BobSTuesday, July 22, 2014 at 12:14 am

Steven makes a good point. The problem with these Wahhabist militants is that they ignore national borders. A Chechen terrorist cell that murdered 160 pupils in a Russian grade school, had several Saudi Arabian citizens in it, whose bodies were recovered by Russian cops after a shootout. Travelling abroad to get killed, go to Seventh Heaven, and collect 70 virgins, has become a fad within the Wahhabi militant subculture. (They are a true subculture, within Islam. A Sufi who learned his religion from the poet Rumi, might use the term “jihad”, to describe his personal quest to stop smoking cigarettes before they give his children cancer. A Wahhabi uses the same word, “jihad”, to describe his son’s day trip to Tel Aviv to commit a suicide bombing, for which the family receives installment payments of money from some reclusive billionaire who, like Bin Laden, engages in murder for hire as a hobby. They use ordinary words to mean some ugly things.)

It is this Wahhabi fascination with suicide attack, that make the Malaysia Airlines incident(s) worthy of careful investigation. Crashing a planeload of Haram into the Indian Ocean after running out of fuel, would be attractive to a Wahhabi suicide cultist. So would blowing up an airliner enroute from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur. So would altering the settings on the plane’s radar transponder, to make it appear to be a Russian heavy bomber instead of a Malaysia Airlines transport plane…a move that a suicidal pilot might make in a war zone, to provoke a missile attack from the Ukrainian forces on the ground. (Or make it appear to be a US heavy bomber and provoke a missile attack from Russian forces on the ground.)

The thought of a single suicide bombing, setting off nuclear war between the hated American Haram and the hated Russian Haram, that puts a billion Muslims in position to dictate to two billion Indians and Chinese, that they must convert to Wahhabism or face the same radioactive fate that befell the Christian infidels in Moscow and Washington, is precisely the kind of attractive nuisance that ought never be put within the reach of a prospective suicide bomber.

I have serious reservations about Secretary Kerry’s wisdom, in attempting at every turn, to make Russia the villain, without showing the proof. The NSA solved the shootdown of KAL flight 7, decades ago, and went public, within 24 hours, with recorded radio chatter between two Soviet pilots, and their commander on the ground, deciding to shoot down a civilian airliner, rather than intercept it, arrest those aboard, and determine why they broke the law and entered restricted airspace.

The fact that John Kerry opts to use insult and innuendo, while withholding the facts, is a very strong reason why we Americans must demand the facts. If a true abundance of evidence proves Kerry’s claims, he ought to have no trouble producing it.

If Kerry is pursuing the same failed policy of appeasement toward Wahhabi militants, that catastrophically failed on 9-11-01, by blaming Russia for the actions of some Saudi citizens, then the experience of the past decade has taught him nothing.

Suicide bomber are not deterred by the threat of death.

Terrorists are not deterred

Rob JonesMonday, July 21, 2014 at 6:30 pm

If obama is president when the missiles are fired from mexico, he probably will get them more rockets to shoot at us.

tom ewingMonday, July 21, 2014 at 6:59 pm

Very few people remember that the Ukraine shot down a Russian airline a few years ago!
so…. if one would like to think about this event in a balanced thoughtful fashion, then log on to Stratfor.com and read Reflections of an Unforgiving Day.. It was enlightening to me.

tom

Ralph TaylorMonday, July 21, 2014 at 7:01 pm

Why don’t we move all of the Palestinians to the Baja Peninsula? It’s about the same Latitude as Palestine so they would be used to the climate. They could have free trade with the US and totally revamp and modernize their entire culture. This Israeli-Palestinian conflict will never end and if I have my history correct, the Palestinians were there first. There was “Zionism” and then the State of Israel was created in 1947. So the Israelis are the intruders. Israel has the backing of the United States because so many European Jews emigrated to the US to get away from Nazi Germany and other oppressive European countries. I think the Germans tried to deport German Jews to other countries, but nobody wanted them, which eventually resulted in the inhuman treatment and killing of 6 million Jews. One of the largest Jewish populations in the US is in Skokie, Illinois, a Chicago suburb, and I’m sure they send plenty of money and other support to Israel to keep the Palestinians subdued. I don’t care if the US supplies Israel with military weapons, (no A-bombs please), just as long as we don’t send American troops there. The Palestinians need to get out of there and let the Israelis do their thing, because they will do so anyways with US support.

rc rekemeyerMonday, July 21, 2014 at 7:01 pm

I would say the great destroyer is working overtime to bring the world to the brink eof humes an annilation-as for Carlos Slims comments-too much time on peoples hands results in mischief

DonnieMonday, July 21, 2014 at 7:29 pm

I only wish the nut cases in the worlds superpower countries would get on with it and battle their ill-conceived priorities and agendas out in cyber space, in the economic markets, and with technologically smart weapons so that they will come close to self-annihilation and the little people can get on with life and quickly overthrow the world’s oppressive governments when they are most venerable attending to their power struggles and war games.
It’s painfully inevitable, so why delay it… The worlds confiscatory spend and take governments are out of control and must be thrown onto the ash-heap of history. It’s time to close their checking accounts permanently by public hanging since that’s the cheapest way to rid the world of their ill-conceived socialists and progressive ideas.
Yes there will be some very “dark” months or even years… But the sooner the inevitable occurs, the shorter the economic and physical pain…! History repeats 1914 to 2014… Check it out.

Chuck BurtonMonday, July 21, 2014 at 7:47 pm

Was shooting down MH17 a deliberate act? The plane must have had its IFF turned on – it had been flying in busy airspace over various European countries, and was about to enter Russian airspace, so it would have been plainly identified. The missile battery’s radar would have read out the IFF, since they would not want to attack a friendly plane. Yet, someone ordered the button to be pressed. Who? What are the odds that person is now somewhere in the depths of Lubyanka Prison, and will not come out alive?

bob dempseyMonday, July 21, 2014 at 8:57 pm

hi larry ! you tell me putin seems to be more motivated protecting his people seems to be very smart straight up ! no wash bs he has every angle covered ! this cease fire bs nation wants a truce duh ! I am very concerned about the new war in Iraq opponents very funded why did we bomb Iraq anyway ? that’s why the world hates us ! maybe we need a cease fire in Iraq hows it feel now ? BOB

Richard JMonday, July 21, 2014 at 9:06 pm

Ethnic/religious conflicts/wars have been waged on this planet for thousands of years. Most are because of ignorance on the part of the general population. I believe that the majority of people on this planet want to live in peace with their brothers and sisters no matter what their political or religious beliefs may be. However, as witnessed throughout all history, it only takes a forceful leader with a “tuned” message, to lead the sheep to slaughter. Only God can give us lasting peace, and until we ALL begin asking for this gift, wars and strife will continue unabated.

J D DwyerMonday, July 21, 2014 at 9:08 pm

I commented on msn,an I I said there,the solution to the problem is simple,,,eliminate war monger Putin,an eliminate the problem!we should be more concerned abt OUR domestic problems,than international .leave the islrailis alone(an im all for them)let Putin do his thing,as Ukraine is no allie of ours anyway.

J D DwyerMonday, July 21, 2014 at 9:26 pm

wow,i just read all 28 comments,i couldn’t get over the difference of opinion,but some of you are very well informed,an im glad of that.when I was in Russia after the Berlin wall fell,an communism fell,the Russian people treated me very well,friendly,Putin wants what he thinks is his,an he is not an happy man,no sence of humor,puss on all the time.wife divorced him.hes an cold dude,after all he ran the KGB for a long time,an he was ruthless.while I was there,i asked opinions from people abt Putin,an no comment!! they fear him!! J D Dwyer

Why doesn’t israel get out of Palestine and give back what they stole. The land wasn’t theirs to begin with. The stupid british partitioned the land and the Palestinians had nothing to say about it. Israel gets millions of U S citizens tax dollars plus weapons to use indiscriminately on these people who have so little.

SteveMonday, July 21, 2014 at 9:52 pm

Realities with no enforcement by armed action we as the U. S. will continue to see:
#I No change in the illegal aliens swarming our country. I mean “really its a migration bye immigrants?”
#II The middle east will continue to boil broil and eventually explode into the United States
#III Iran will finally achieve nuclear delivery somewhere in the west
#IV Russia will continue to dominate the Ukraine and then begin its domination of Europe

This is not hard to understand when Presidential campaigner from Texas is going to deploy national guard to border with no right to arrest or enforce but only defend themselves sooooo? I mean we need to stop people from doing what they are doing not look for solutions we cannot afford after they already accomplish what they want. This is absurd.

Fred GibsonTuesday, July 22, 2014 at 4:49 am

So, are you suggesting World War III is the only answer?

johannesMonday, July 21, 2014 at 9:53 pm

My comment is for A.H. The difference between the USA and Russia is quite stark. Our country was founded on principles based on self-government, individual freedom, property ownership, and free elections. The alternative is one man rule, communism, socialism, fascism, or monarchy.(tyranny). Our President’s response to the Russian strike was shameful, tepid, and vapid. You now are experiencing first hand a world without a strong America. It will get much worse A.H. Your comments reflect those of a well indoctrinated Democrat. Putin is KGB….he’s in for life and he could care less about the lives lost on that commercial flight. Did you know Stalin killed over 20M of his own country men? (Russian successor to Lenin) Think about it before you criticize America again.

Fred GibsonTuesday, July 22, 2014 at 4:45 am

johannes, your comments seem to be the same ideological nonsense that is leading not only America but the world toward disaster today.

More likely scenario: Putin turns this into a Reprise of KAL Flight 7, which had been Gorbachev’s welcome-to-public-office gift. The KAL flight violated Soviet airspace intentionally, on orders from the KCIA, seeking to identify Soviet radar and communications procedures in an intercept scenario. S Korea got more than it wanted, because Soviet aviators shot the plane down. The widow of John Birch Society prez and Congressman Larry McDonald deflected suspicion from the KCIA, with some wild conspiracy theories about a secret Soviet weapon that altered where the plane’s compass pointed, and the public outrage subsided, owing to her lack of credibility.

If we are, indeed, witnessing a Putin rehash of the KAL 7 incident, we can expect some suspicious stories to emerge, about just how a Malay airliner came to fly over a known war zone, that other commercial flights were avoiding as a matter of company policy.

If Putin is pursuing an agenda aimed at more-favorable trade relations with China, creating suspicion of the Malays (who until recently pursued a racist domestic policy that locked numerous ethnic Chinese in prison, for being Chinese), he can in one fell swoop, diminish Malay oil markets and isolate Malay tech firms from supplies of palladium and rare earth metals. This would force the Malays to kowtow both to Australia and Japan, which will ruin a few political careers in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia will be forced to export oil and gas to Europe if there’s a shortage…and Arabian nations can negotiate backhaul rates to supply Japan with gas it used to source from Malaysia. Under such pressure, the Senkaku Islands will be abandoned by Tokyo. China wins their objectives without firing a shot. The US will look outmatched in this battle of wits, quite frankly, because we are.

Mike MMonday, July 21, 2014 at 10:43 pm

I am finally convinced that Israel doesn’t want peace. It likes the situation just the way it is. They keep encroaching and building on Arab lands, get BILLIONS of $ in USA aide and treat the Palestinians like animals. No wonder the Palestinians get frustrated and lob ineffective rockets into Israel. Then they get massive air strikes in return. Come on now, this is not a war but a one sided barbaric exercise. End the occupation and you end the violence. If you lived like the people in Gaza you’d pick up a rock, or even a rocket, and toss it too.

Elizabeth TurnerMonday, July 21, 2014 at 10:48 pm

I would investigate current shipping container homes and interview current residents. would purchase such a container instantly if what I heard was positive and beneficial. I might even load it on a rail car and move around to experience life in other places. We get all hung up on what a dwelling place should be when many are in huts or cardboard. The Lord made it clear to me in the spring of 1985 that he wants me to live a Z orb a the Greek. I turn 66 tomorrow and haven’t lived anywhere for 4 years. The Architect of my life says go for it.

LouieMonday, July 21, 2014 at 10:56 pm

Re: Shipping containers used as homes. What goes around, comes around. Back in the ’40’s & 50’s, railroad box cars (without the undercarriage & wheels) were often used as homes, provided at little or no cost–with electrical hookups–to full time employees.

RUSS SMITHMonday, July 21, 2014 at 11:07 pm

Hi!, Patrons Of Money And Markets Et Al:

WHAT’S NEW?

My mom produced 5 children with me her only boy. Dad was stationed in Germany in World War 11 and mom was working in Benicia, Ca. at an armory. When mom and dad finally reunited we all lived in dilapidated buildings they called Veterans’ Apartments. Therefore, looking back to my past there was war then and dilapidated housing and so what’s changed? Reminds of what the French economist, Joque Rueff , said when he commented: “The more things change the more they remain the same!” So, Mr. Larson please let me know when real change is scheduled huh?

I’ve been a fan of Martin Weiss for some time and have followed your work since you casme on board.I realize your client base is probably U.S.but it is beneath you to write commentary that is anti Putin when he is the only person excersising any degree of sanity in this affair

BobTuesday, July 22, 2014 at 12:56 am

“Russia, a riddle within an enigma.” – Winston Churchill. And ex-KGB Putin one of the murkyist characters of all.

Bill ThomasTuesday, July 22, 2014 at 1:14 am

Putin had nothing to do with airliner. He had nothing to gain. Does anyone find it odd that this aircraft is identical to the one that disappeared? Oh, and why was it so far off course while under control of Kiev. Has anyone heard the media give all of Russia’s evidence implicating Kiev? Has anyone heard the evidence John Kerry claims he has? He is a pathalogical liar so it is logical to assume he is lying.

John BrundageTuesday, July 22, 2014 at 2:18 am

Russia & the so called separatists of Eastern Ukraine would have nothing to gain by shooting down an airliner. Assistant Secretary of State,Victoria Nuland, stated that the US spent $5 billion to overthrow the government of Ukraine. The US & the US puppet government of Ukraine do have something to gain by trying to make Russia & the so called eastern Ukraine separatists look bad. Former Asst. Sec. of the Treasury, Paul Craig Roberts, is one of the few people in the US that has anything sensible to say about the downing of MH 17:

The US does have a history of starting wars or wanting to start wars for bogus reasons. In 1962 the Joint Chiefs of Staff sent the plans for Operation Northwoods to President Kennedy for his approval. The plan called for the faked shootdown of an airliner & military airplane, & detonating real bombs that would probably kill or injure US citizens in a few different US cities. All of this was to be blamed on Cuba & used as an excuse to invade Cuba. Kennedy didn’t think it was a good idea, & the plan wasn’t carried out. The documents for this were declassified & can be read on the George Washington University National Security Archive:http://www2.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/news/20010430/northwoods.pdf

In 1964 the Gulf of Tonkin incident was used as an excuse for expanding the US military advisory role in Viet Nam into an all out war costing the lives of about 58,000 US military personnel, about 2 million Vietnamese, & cost the taxpayers about a trillion in todays dollars. Declassified documents revealed the Gulf of Tonkin incident did not occur as originally reported:http://www.usni.org/magazines/navalhistory/2008-02/truth-about-tonkin#footnotes

Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson, former chief of staff for Gen. Colin Powell, has stated that our foreign policy is really run by, “The people who own the wealth, the people who therefore have the power and who more or less (and I’m not being too facetious here) buy the president and thus buy American foreign policy.” He also points out that, “big American defense contractors are largely responsible for our current dispute with Russia.”:http://www.globalresearch.ca/colonel-wilkerson-oligarchy-controls-u-s-war-making/5382095

When the mainstream news is trying to sell you on getting into another war, be very skeptical & hang on to your wallet.

PeterTuesday, July 22, 2014 at 3:31 am

If the container home thing gets rolling, I suggest that TGH. (Textainer) might be a good buy, and with a nice dividend too.

Fred GibsonTuesday, July 22, 2014 at 4:27 am

What is happening in the Ukrain is just more of the world political reaction that has given rise to mistrust of the world media and official governments. You can’t trust anything that anybody says, so how can anyone invest with confidence. I have just withdrawn to the sidelines where I watch with growing skepticism, doubt and anger. A lot of people seem to be making a lot of money in the market, though. Apparently they know somehing that I don’t unless it is just a matter of blind luck and irrational risk they’re taking.

Jackie C.Tuesday, July 22, 2014 at 5:48 am

Hi Mike,
Please don’t spread this bunk about Russia. I’m as patriotic as the next person,
but seriously, when US officials immediately come out blaming Russia before there is any evidence……… Apparently the US had a satellite over the area at that point in time, so
guess what — the US HAS PICTURES! Now, will they release them? If they don’t,
what does that mean? Perhaps check this man out. He was on Reagan’s
staff and later the Wall Street Journal http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2014/07/21/guilt-insinuation-paul-craig-roberts/

Francis IrvineTuesday, July 22, 2014 at 5:57 am

If I were to choose a future for the current global crop of slimy parasitic political losers and queer degenerates elected by the west, it would have to be cease all assets, & detention in a human excretion treatment center for the rest of their worthless lives, no trial, no choice. There is one potential leader in UK, Mr Farage. The only US prospect is ex governor of Alaska. My persona choice is Mr Putin who understands how to lead. All US politicians are compromised and owned by secret societies (lock stock and soul) by the Von Hapsbergs or their lackeys, bilderberg, freemasons, or Illuminati all rectal extrusions . None with the balls to buck a rigged & rapidly failing system system.

dorothy BerranTuesday, July 22, 2014 at 11:04 am

I would like to say that your reader who thinks Russia is doing exactly what we the United States has always done by helping countries with aggressive invaders of their countries stating Lincoln, etc. should stop and really think about his comments. We are not invading countries to take over to dictate. If the greatest country in the world does not help others who is going to do it. Do you want another Hitler, Stalin, etc. ruling the world. How soon we forget World War 11, Sept 11. etc. How do we stop evil people? Sit and watch until it comes to his door.

JIWILLISTuesday, July 22, 2014 at 11:19 am

A couple of questions can resolve what is going on in Israel. If Israel were to lay down its arms and be totally peaceful, would the Arab world allow her to exist? History clearly says otherwise. If the Arab/Muslim world were to do likewise would there be peace. I have to believe that there would be. So with Hamas and other terrorist groups embedding themselves within civilian areas and pulling recruits from same, firing rockets from same, how likely is it that Israel is just going to be totally defensive and allow their population to be fired upon? This is a very tough situation for Palestinian civilians especially in Gaza, but if I were calling the shots in Israel, I would be doing much the same. So how does this reflect upon investment? Looks like the most profitable weapons manufacturers are a lock going forward.

Paul KnowltonTuesday, July 22, 2014 at 11:22 am

Pray and continue to pray…for the hearts and minds of leaders on all sides to find a way to work towards peace.

anthony gTuesday, July 22, 2014 at 12:04 pm

War is everywhere. The stimulus programs lead to war not prosperity.

Merrilyn RichardsonTuesday, July 22, 2014 at 1:10 pm

On the Reader Al H., he is like so many other “liberals” (Socialists) in blaming the U.S. They do not understand that our actions reflect our belief in FREEDOM, individual freedom as guaranteed by our Constitution and By-laws– which is what made us prosper. We want the whole world to learn why they should get rid of dictators and Socialists/Communist governments. There is no difference in the two except for how they gain their power — Communists through armed conflict and Socialists through indoctrination and the ballot. Sadly, the whole world is turning Socialists with the majority of people wanting handouts.

TadarTuesday, July 22, 2014 at 4:32 pm

It seems that the stirring up of that hornet’s nest of cousins will not cease. Ever read Genesis 12:1-7 and Genesis 15, very carefully while saying the names of the named beings as you spell them? If not, try it, it’s a rewarding exercise.

mohammed alhaddadTuesday, July 22, 2014 at 10:10 pm

يرجا موافاتنا بالرد وشكرا

Steve NewdellWednesday, July 23, 2014 at 6:09 am

Most everyone here talks in worldly terms. They ignore the one document that has always foretold the future and has always been right. I and several scholars expect a major war in the Middle East before Early Spring 2015 and a likely market crash in the 2nd week of September 2015. Prophecy indicates Russia sweeping through Europe to join with Persia/Iran for the biggest war you never wanted to imagine, and I expect that around 2018 or sooner. Along the way, gold will rise to the stars and then eventually become worthless. The “rich” will be poor people with a water well, a garden and a way to cook food (solar or woody fibers.) I worry that you guys never speak of these things. If I were YOU and Martin, I’d be out of the US. In fact I’m in The Philippines and have no plans to return to Florida.